Baked Brake Dust

chips2002 · 08-01-07, 08:05

Hello,

I recently bought a '05 Infinity G35 with factory 18" sports rims. The problem is the rims are covered with brake dust and it won't come off.

I tried claying it and that didn't do much except make the surface real smooth. I sprayed some Simple Green and worked it in with a nylon brush and that didn't help. I then bought Meguiars Hot Rims all wheel cleaner and that didn't work either.

I was wondering what are some more aggressive products I could use without damaging the rims. I have heard of Poorboys Spray and Rinse Cleaner to be pretty aggressive (pH = 4).

What do you professional detailers use to get baked on dust off rims? Also, does anyone know if the G35 has clearcoat on the rims. Thanks.

mikebai1990 · 08-02-07, 01:34

You can try using Eagle One Tire/Wheel cleaner or Meguiars Wheel Brightener. Both are strong products, so you should use proper care in protecting your hands, eyes, etc.

Search around, and you'll find more info.

BTW, it's Infiniti, not Infinity.

m4gician · 08-02-07, 01:48

I'd try both of these, industrial or very strong "degreaser" multipurpose grease remover. Saturate it with that, and use boiling hot water to maybe try and melt or thin it a bid and keep scraping at it.

DreamersPersuit · 08-03-07, 07:56

i use wheel acid....you can not use it on all rims though...and if you use it wrong well then the results will be bad

....but honestly never had a prob with it

intoran · 08-03-07, 08:23

EO All Wheel & Tire usually does a pretty good job on neglected wheels for me. Try it out and use a wheel brush to agitate it.

Jakerooni · 08-03-07, 09:18

Time to get away from the simple OTC products and find a local supplier and get a professional line of acid. I use JD's acid. it's cheap ($9 a gallon) but can only be gotten at a professional cleaning supply shop and will melt off even the most crusted/rusted on brake dust no matter how long it's been sitting. (It's basically a concentrated form of Hydo and sulfuic acids) Like said though. It's extreamly nasty to after market fragil rims. Most stock rims will have no issues if you follow the directions.

eyesack · 08-03-07, 10:02

HEY i sell wheel acid and non-acid wheel cleaner by the gallon, 5-gallon, and 55 gallon drums... the acid is mainly for chrome b/c it'll put nasty white stains on aluminum or eat thru paint, but the C-40 Braker is a viscous gel that we supply to many BMW/Volvo/Benz dealers. good stuff! let me know if you're in nj or PA area and i'll hook you up.

Black Diamond · 08-04-07, 06:51

Oven cleaner works as well. Just be careful what kind of rims you use it on.

mikebai1990 · 08-05-07, 07:33

Be careful, eyesack, I don't believe you're allowed to promote your own products on the forum.

smprince1 · 08-05-07, 07:43

For the stubborn stuff my best results usually combine letting the product dwell for some time, a good stiff wheel brush, elbow grease, and a steam cleaner...applied in that order. Good luck.

Chaseme · 08-08-07, 09:30

At my dealership we use 3M Acid Wheel Cleaner to and a bit of elbow grease to remove the baked on stuff.

We don't use it on aftermarket rims though. But since your car is a new car and probably has the stock rims (which are probably clearcoated), I wouldn't worry about them.